What the #@$%! I actually use Norton and it has worked pretty good but that is nuts - sounds like they are circling the wagons for Vista. I imagine Microsoft will have a built in antivirus/spyware/etc. in the new os - probably just because they know the amount of heat they will get if they don't.

Might be time to switch all my machines to AVG...any other recomendations anyone?

I use a combo- avg free www.grisoft.com, Microsoft Antispyware beta, & Adaware from www.lavasoft.com. No complaints here. There is another free antivirus program that Ihave heard good things on but I have never used it- http://www.free-av.com

j razz

Peter Norton must rue the day he sold his business (and name) to Symantec. He's a really bright and decent fellow, and must cringe everytime he sees his name dragged through the mud by the antics of Symantec.

ever since AVG changes versions last year, I don't like them.

I much prefer AVast (www.avast.com). Simple & free. The only thing it doesn't do is a timed scan, but I don't find that a big deal (it does everything else in the free version though)

Trend Micro. Does its job and doesn't screw up your machine. Updates around the clock as needed (as opposed to daily or weekly...).

Booooring (which I like when it comes to system software!).

I forgot to add one thing. When you get the "E" mail reply that says you have cancelled your auto renew if you have the Norton spam filter on it goes into the trashed stuff.

JJK

I use the free AVG software. Everytime it does a scan, it reads some of my JAVA operating files as viruses. Think I'll look elsewhere, now.

Nah, AVG is still the better (even AVG free). Ongoing tests relay that it catches as much as Norton yet uses less resources.

I pulled out of Norton last year, I'll never go back.

The big plus for me for AVG is the issue of resources. It is not the resource drag that Norton or McAffee is and that speaks volumes for a product that does everything they do except drain your system of resources:)

j razz

>> Might be time to switch all my machines to AVG...any other recomendations anyone?

I've been using NOD32 for the last few years. It has very good results on detection tests and puts very little stress on your system, even if you let it run and scan in the background.

Not the easiest interface for the casual user, but I like it.

>I use the free AVG software. Everytime it does a scan, it reads some of my JAVA operating files as viruses. Think I'll look elsewhere, now.

Jay, I don't know what the problem is, but rest assured its you :-) My environment is java-riddled and I have no issues.

Jay, I'd let AVG fix or delete those JAVA files if it wants to. There are TONS of JAVA viruses out there and it's not too unlikely that you have one. If there's a problem with JAVA after AVG "fixes" it, you can always re-install it. Re-Installing JAVA takes only a few seconds, but if you have a virus in your current install it's worth the time.

Fred

It's nothing new, they just decided to start doing it.

Awile back when I received my monthly MBNA Mastercard bill, there was a letter stating (in small print of course) that they would share my personal info with their "partners".
If I didn't want them to share the info, I had to contact them before a certain date or else it was done automatically.
I called... then I switched.

Mario

Rich and Fred, thanks for the information. I'll try what you've suggested.

Does anyone know what the diff in space used on computer is between Norton and AVG? It sounds like it's substantial.
Lili

I dislike Symantec/Norton products for the same reason I dislike Adobe products: They all seem to think they have the God-given right to completely take over my PC, and they install a mind-boggling amount of junk files all over the place. The very definition of "bloatware."

As for AV products, exactly why do we need these things? I'll admit that you do have to work at setting up a PC correctly, but with a simple NAT firewall and the correct IE and OE settings, and if you don't download software from strange people in strange lands, the chances of getting a virus are pretty remote. I've never had one, and I've never used any AV product.

johnmeyer, if you've never used AV software, how do you know you don't have any viruses? Not all of them wreak noticable havoc with the infected computer. A great many of them aren't noticable to the user at all, they merely do things like send out e-mails (such as spam and/or the virus) to everyone in your address book.

johnmeyer, if you've never used AV software, how do you know you don't have any viruses?

Good question. I lied slightly. Occasionally I get a free virus "30-day trial" with a new computer. Since the darn thing is installed, I let it scan not only that computer, but the drives on my other computers. Except for boot sector viruses, scanning over the network lets me look at all the files. Never found a single file.

My statement should have been, "I've never actually installed a virus scanner." As soon as I run the free trial, I always uninstall the horrid thing. Have you ever tested how much SLOWER a computer is with these things running? If you have the full background checking for programs and emails and everything running, the performance hit is unbelievable.

Also, I do look at the process listing for strange things, and I know what should be there. I also have occasionally run the verification checker that comes with Windows and checks file signatures to make sure the system DLLs haven't been overwritten.

I thought only porn sites (Oh and Readers Digest) did that. Peter was good in his day but after selling out Norton's products have been weak and expensive.

I use AVG on a few of my computers. The thing I reallly like about them is the customer service. I have had two problems with a laptop running windows me ( yeah I know but I only use it for email) both times I have had to email customer service. Quick response and answers that work.

They also give two year licenses for multiple computers at a reasonable price.

If anyone's interested, Trend Micro has a free virus scan on their site.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Yep, it worked. I got rid of the JAVA files that being being seen as viruses. Thanks guys!